Announcements View Archive
Gulf countries cut ties with Qatar
Date Posted: 06/5/2017
Citing the need to “protect national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism,” Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, which is alleged to have been creating instability in the region. UAE’s official news agency WAM, tweeted that the UAE government has asked Qatar’s diplomatic mission to... Read More
DOLE to help OFWs claim backpays, get loan faster
Date Posted: 06/5/2017
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced it will help returning and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) claim their backpay from foreign employers and make the process of getting loans and benefits easier and faster. “[We] assure you of the labor department’s assistance in claiming your unpaid wages and benefits. We have also... Read More
Direct hiring of OFWs allowed again as DOLE lifts suspension
Date Posted: 05/31/2017
MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment has lifted the suspension on the processing of directly hired overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it ended its investigation on allegedly anomalous activities at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he decided to lift the suspension as the investigation has identified... Read More
Passports with 10-year validity to be twice as costly, says DFA
Date Posted: 05/19/2017
Passports with 10-year validity will be twice as expensive compared to current passports, GMA News’ Maki Pulido reported on 24 Oras on Thursday. Passports can now cost applicants P1,900 to P2,000, twice the current price of P950 for passports with five-year validity, the report said, citing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “Definitely, the materials... Read More
OFW Bank will have Ph3 billion authorized capital
Date Posted: 05/17/2017
The Overseas Filipino workers’ bank projected to open in September , will have an authorized capital of P3 billion and subscribed capital of P2 billion, according to the government-run Philippine News Agency (PNA). Of the amount, PNA, citing Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, reported that the bank will open Ph1 billion of its capital to... Read More
OFW remittances hit record $2.91 B in March
Date Posted: 05/17/2017
MANILA, Philippines – Remittances from overseas Filipinos reached their highest monthly level in March due to strong demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday. BSP Governor Amando Tetango Jr. said personal remittances booked a double-digit growth of 11.8 percent to a record high of $2.91 billion in March... Read More
DOLE to open ‘OFW Bank’ by September
Date Posted: 05/7/2017
MANILA, Philippines – Expect enhanced services and programs that will ease the lives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by September, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In a statement yesterday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the government would come up with an “OFW Bank” which will cater to the remittance and... Read More
DOLE eyes limiting number of skilled workers sent abroad to address local shortage
Date Posted: 05/3/2017
The government is mulling the possibility of reducing the number of skilled workers being deployed to abroad to address a local shortage of manpower, JP Soriano reported on 24 Oras on Wednesday. “We are studying the possibility of decreasing the number of deployment para hindi naman ma-affected yung ating local demand,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello... Read More
TESDA to launch training program for OFWs
Date Posted: 04/25/2017
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Tuesday said it will launch an “Emergency Skills Training Program” on May 31 to assist returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the country. “Ila-launch natin itong emergency skills training program dahil maraming taong nangangailangan ng skills agad-agad. Kaya binuksan natin lahat ng skills training centers ng... Read More
OFWs’ terminal fee exemption to start this weekend
Date Posted: 04/25/2017
Exemption of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from paying the airport terminal fee will begin on Sunday (April 30). They just have to declare that they are an OFW to be exempted. Overseas Filipino Workers exits the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. This exemption shall be recognized at any point of sale, whether in the Philippines or... Read More